BLOG: Kane named NHL's 3rd Star of the Week

Kane is currently riding a an eight-game point streak with multi-point outings in six of those games

by
Chris Wescott
/ blackhawks.com

Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week by the league this morning.

In two road games this past week in New Jersey and against the New York Rangers, Kane compiled two goals and three assists. He capped off the solid week with a superb two-goal, three-assist performance in an 8-5 victory over Washington on Sunday afternoon.

Kane is currently riding an eight-game point streak, in which he has seven goals and 13 assists for a total of 20 points. He paces the team with a total of 70 points (29G, 41A) in 49 games.

From the NHL:

THIRD STAR - PATRICK KANE, RW, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Kane, the top scorer on the Blackhawks (17-24-9, 43 points), registered one four-point outing and one five-point performance to lead the NHL with 4-6-10 in three games. He opened the week with 2-2-4, his eighth multi-goal effort of the season, in an 8-5 loss to the New Jersey Devils Jan. 14. Kane collected one assist in a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers Jan. 17. He then posted 2-3-5, his second career five-point game and first since Jan. 9, 2018 (1-4-5 at OTT), in an 8-5 victory over the Washington Capitals Jan. 20. The 30-year-old Buffalo native sits fifth in the League with 29-41-70 through 49 total contests this season. That includes 7-13-20 during an active eight-game point streak, giving him the most points thus far in the 2019 calendar year.

The Blackhawks take on the New York Islanders on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. CT.

BLOG: Central Scouting release mid-season rankings

Hughes and Kakko are top-ranked North American and International skaters

Center Jack Hughes of the U.S. National Team Development Program's Under-18 squad is the top-ranked North American Skater, while right winger Kaapo Kakko of Finland's TPS ranks number one among International Skaters.

Hughes leads the U.S. U-18 team with 12 goals and 41 assists in 27 games this season.

"Hughes is in a special class all his own for the 2019 NHL Draft and the best is yet to come," said Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr. "He is an exceptional skater who plays the game with speed and quickness, both with and without the puck. He possesses a package of skills and smarts that place him in the category of being a game-changer - his hockey sense is excellent, and his skill level is elite with the precision and quickness in which he can execute plays."

Kakko helped the Finns take gold at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship.

"Kakko is an exceptionally skilled power forward package who is in his second season playing a big role on the top team (TPS) in the Finnish league, where he has shown impressive versatility playing both wing and center," said Marr. "He is strong on the puck and to the net, and has proven he is battle-ready competing on the world stage - one of the few players who have the potential to make the jump to the NHL next season."

MONDAY MAILBAG: Superstitions

Adam Burish answers fan submitted questions as part of blackhawks.com's Mailbag series

by
Adam Burish
/ blackhawks.com

On select Mondays throughout the 2018-19 season, blackhawks.com will have answers to some fan-submitted questions. This week, former Blackhawks forward, 2010 Stanley Cup champion and Blackhawks TV contributor Adam Burish discusses superstitions and a humorous interaction he had with Darren McCarty.

RECAP: Blackhawks 8, Capitals 5

An offensive explosion, spurred by multi-goal outings from Toews and Kane, helped the Blackhawks down the Capitals and put an end to their five-game skid

by
Chris Wescott
/ blackhawks.com

RAPID REACTION: In an eventful matinee meeting, the Blackhawks snapped their five-game skid by racking up a ton of goals, downing the Washington Capitals 8-5. They were spurred on by multi-point, multi-goal outings from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, including a hat trick from the captain.

Brandon Saad powered his way to the Capitals net and scored his 15th goal of the season at 6:36 of the first, giving the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. David Kampf recorded the lone assist.

The Blackhawks host the defending Stanley Cup champions for an early puck drop at the United Center

The Blackhawks will host the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals for a Sunday matinee at the United Center. Chicago is trying to right the ship following five-straight losses. Four of those defeats have come by just a goal, two in overtime.

Chicago (16-24-9) was swept in their recent two-game eastern road trip, falling 8-5 in New Jersey and 4-3 to the New York Rangers on Thursday night. In that game against the Rangers, Brandon Saad, Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kahun were the goal scorers for the Blackhawks.

DeBrincat scoring is not a new revelation as the young winger has been near dominant in the last stretch, scoring six goals in his last six games. Patrick Kane also continues his stellar, All-Star campaign as he extended his point streak to seven games (5G, 10A) on Thursday night.

Corey Crawford was on the ice before practice, and other updates from MB Ice Arena

Goaltender Corey Crawford (concussion) was on the ice with Collin Delia and Cam Ward and goalie coach Jimmy Waite half an hour before practice began. Crawford has missed time since Dec. 16. He left the ice as the full practice began.

Defenseman Gustav Forsling (upper torso) also joined the team for practice. He was placed on IR on Jan. 9. Forward Brendan Perlini is in concussion protocol and did not participate in practice, the team announced.

BLOG: Lines shuffled as Blackhawks try new combinations

Caggiula joined Toews and Kane on the top line

On Saturday, the forward lines were shuffled as the Blackhawks attempt to reverse their fortunes of late.

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton bumped up Drake Caggiula, who is fresh off his first point in a Blackhawks uniform. At practice, Caggiula skated on the top-line wing with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

"We're not happy with where we are," said Colliton. "We want to get better, so we're going to try new things. It's not the first time those two guys have played together, Toews and Kane, and I think Caggiula provides some grit, some puck-winning ability and he has a little skill. So that could be something."

Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kahun made up the second line. Brandon Saad, David Kampf, and Marcus Kruger were on the third, while John Hayden, Artem Anisimov, and Chris Kunitz skated on the fourth line.

BLOG: Colliton provides updates on Crawford, Forsling

Both injured players skated on Saturday at practice

by
Chris Wescott
/ blackhawks.com

The Blackhawks had a positive development happen before practice on Saturday. Corey Crawford took to the ice alongside his fellow goaltenders and Goalie Coach Jimmy Waite. He put in some work before exiting ahead of the full skate.

Crawford is recovering from a concussion that has kept him out of action since Dec. 16.

"Positive that he was out there, but I'm not sure it means a ton," said Head Coach Jeremy Colliton. "Hopefully, he continues to feel better."

To the coach's knowledge, this was the first time Crawford has skated. On if the plan is for more of these short skates ahead of practice, Colliton added, "I don't know, eventually. Whether that's tomorrow or a week from now, I don't know. But it is a good sign."

Gustav Forsling, who is dealing with an upper torso injury, skated during practice for the first time since being placed on IR.